Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators Grows Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators boosted its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 17.0% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 738 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 107 shares during the period. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators’ holdings in Marriott International were worth $206,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC acquired a new position in Marriott International in the fourth quarter worth about $223,000. Aspen Investment Management Inc lifted its holdings in Marriott International by 40.0% during the 4th quarter. Aspen Investment Management Inc now owns 2,490 shares of the company’s stock worth $695,000 after buying an additional 712 shares during the last quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB grew its position in shares of Marriott International by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 69,883 shares of the company’s stock worth $19,493,000 after acquiring an additional 1,330 shares in the last quarter. Ieq Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 18.2% in the 4th quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 17,044 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,754,000 after acquiring an additional 2,624 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Alberta Investment Management Corp bought a new position in Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth $9,969,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have weighed in on MAR shares. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Marriott International from $287.00 to $283.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $280.00 to $314.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Macquarie reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $245.00 target price on shares of Marriott International in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Truist Financial raised their price target on Marriott International from $277.00 to $308.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Evercore ISI upgraded Marriott International from an “in-line” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $330.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $284.05.

Marriott International Trading Down 3.4 %

Shares of NASDAQ:MAR opened at $277.47 on Friday. Marriott International, Inc. has a twelve month low of $204.55 and a twelve month high of $307.52. The firm has a market cap of $76.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.35, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.57. The company has a 50 day moving average of $283.73 and a 200-day moving average of $264.75.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.37 by $0.08. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 116.67% and a net margin of 9.46%. Equities research analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 27th will be issued a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.91%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 27th. Marriott International’s payout ratio is 30.29%.

Marriott International Company Profile

Marriott International, Inc engages in operating, franchising, and licensing hotel, residential, timeshare, and other lodging properties worldwide. It operates its properties under the JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, St. Regis, EDITION, Bvlgari, Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, Westin, Autograph Collection, Renaissance Hotels, Le Méridien, Delta Hotels by Marriott, Tribute Portfolio, Gaylord Hotels, Design Hotels, Marriott Executive Apartments, Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton, TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Aloft Hotels, AC Hotels by Marriott, Moxy Hotels, Element Hotels, Protea Hotels by Marriott, City Express by Marriott, and St.